Jones will make, break England: Kearns

Eddie Jones may have tried to mess with the Wallabies’ minds ahead of Saturday night’s three Test series opener against England in Brisbane.

But former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns believes the “fanatical” Jones may end up causing more damage to his own players during his tenure as England coach.

Kearns said Jones would make England – then break them.

“I think he will do both,” Kearns told Fox Sports’ The Back Page.

“I think in the short term they will be incredibly successful over the next two to three years – the big question is what happens after that?

“He is a very astute coach but there is a point where the fanatical work ethic goes too far.”

Former Wallabies mentor Jones has done his best to get under Australia’s skin with several cheeky jabs.

He has even predicted the Wallabies team for Saturday’s clash.

Jones has also made every post a winner since inheriting the reins after England’s 2015 World Cup pool group exit, guiding them to their first Grand Slam since 2003 on their way to winning the Six Nations in March.

Kearns said Jones got results – but sometimes at a high price.

He said some former international players under Jones had vowed never to work with the coach again.

“There’s not a lot of people in the world of Eddie Jones,” Kearns said.

“There’s one bloke – and that’s him. That’s his world.

“I actually think he is a good guy.

“But he is massively intense, massively hard working and he ensures his team works hard to the point – I have heard – of overtraining them and really pushing them to the limit.

“I have heard a couple of the guys in the Japan team say they would never play under him again because they could not keep up with the workload it was so intense.”

Kearns added: “It will be interesting to see how over time the Pommies go.”

So far Jones’ mind games aren’t working on Australia.

Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey successfully deflected one of the Jones barbs on Tuesday – that Australia’s defence had major flaws that could be exploited.

“I think all defensive systems have flaws in them but it’s just a matter of being able to expose them,” Grey said.

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